Celtics rally from 22 down in Vucevic's debut to beat Heat

Nikola Vucevic's first game with the Celtics was a rollercoaster, but Boston came back to win 98-96 over Miami

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Nikola Vucevic's debut with the Celtics transformed from a slow start into one of the most electric atmospheres of the season as Boston rallied from a 22-point deficit to beat the Heat 98-96 on Friday. Vucevic recorded an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double off the bench, showing his potential as a post presence and passer. The Celtics started the game ice cold from 3-point range but mounted a furious comeback in the second half, led by Payton Pritchard's 16-point outburst and a strong finish from Derrick White.

Why it matters

Vucevic's debut offered a glimpse of how he can help the Celtics, who were likely to try to acquire another big man before the trade deadline. His ability to score in the post, pass out of double-teams, and complement Boston's spacing could make him a valuable addition as the Celtics push for a deep playoff run.

The details

Vucevic came off the bench and showed his skills as a post scorer, rebounder, and passer. He sealed mismatches well and had good chemistry with Derrick White in the pick-and-roll. The Celtics started the game 1-for-20 from 3-point range but mounted a furious comeback in the second half, with Payton Pritchard sparking them with a 16-point outburst. Derrick White also bounced back from a rough first half to hit some key shots down the stretch, including the game-winning 3-pointer.

  • The Celtics opened the game a staggering 1-for-20 from the floor from 3-point range.
  • Payton Pritchard scored 16 points over an 11-minute stretch in the third and fourth quarters to fuel the Celtics' comeback.

The players

Nikola Vucevic

A veteran center who was recently acquired by the Celtics and made his debut with the team on Friday, recording an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double off the bench.

Payton Pritchard

A key reserve for the Celtics who sparked their comeback with a 16-point outburst over an 11-minute stretch in the second half.

Derrick White

The Celtics guard struggled in the first half but bounced back with a strong second half, including hitting the game-winning 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter.

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What they’re saying

“We're a team. We've been building chemistry. Everybody has leaned in from the beginning of the year, and when you're on the same page, you trust and believe in each other, and you empower each other, that's half the battle.”

— Jaylen Brown (boston.com)

“D-White has a great understanding of playing alongside great guys. He knows when to let JB do his thing. He knows when to let Payton do his thing, and he knows when to insert himself. It's a balance, but I thought he did a great job of that tonight.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Head Coach (boston.com)

What’s next

The Celtics will look to build on this comeback win when they face the Knicks on Sunday. A win would give Boston a 2-1 lead in the season series and pull them two games ahead of New York in the Eastern Conference standings heading into the All-Star break.

The takeaway

Nikola Vucevic's debut showed the potential he has to be a valuable addition for the Celtics, providing a needed post presence and passing ability. Meanwhile, the team's ability to rally from a large deficit highlighted their resilience and chemistry as they continue their push for a deep playoff run.